Nifty News

Faithful Followers

Sunday, July 3, 2011

From Orlando, where the devil goes to warm up, it's your host, the woman who single-handedly drove six kids across the country in two days and didn't even have the urge to kill anyone, Dawn DamalasMeehan!

I haven't updated for a while because I haven't had an Internet connection. I signed up for cable and Internet, but they won't be able to install it until the 20th. I tried to explain who I was and how important it was for me to have a link to all my readers, but the guy just looked at me like I was some sort of freak. Is it possible that random people in Florida don't know who I am?! I'll have to set them straight!

Picking up where I left off - we left our Chicago home last Tuesday and stayed in Tennessee Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, we got up and started driving, originally planning to stay somewhere in Alabama for the night, and arrive in Florida on Thursday. As I started driving, however, I changed my mind and decided I could make it all the way on Wednesday. The kids were awesome for the entire, long, two day trip, traffic was light except in Atlanta which doesn't make any sense to me because the highway has 15 lanes there, and we drove through around 3:00 in the afternoon!

That day, we stopped at Chick-fil-A for lunch. The winner of a signed book for that stop is - Karen from Menopause Diaries!

Then we stopped at a gas station in Georgia where there was a jar of pickled eggs on the counter. That winner is - MommyMer

The last stop of the day was at a gas station in Florida. The winner of a signed book for that stop is - Queenie662!

And just because I love my readers (and because my trip was cut short by my need to make it to Florida in two days in order to save the cost of another hotel stay), I'll pick two more winners. They are - Shelomita and Korinthia

Congrats! Email me at Dawn@DawnMeehan.com with your mailing address so I can get your books out to you! :)

Now here are the answers to your questions from this week.

How do the kids like the house?

They love it! For most of us, it just feels like we're on vacation though. I'm not sure when it will sink in that we're here to stay.

Did you get everything unpacked?

Yes and no. I used U-Pack to move. Their prices were great and I had control over how everything got packed. The kids and I (with the help of my friend, Eric) packed the truck ourselves. ABF U-Pack drove it down to Florida and we unloaded it (more on that to come). So, the truck is empty, but I still have some boxes sitting around my house. Not too many though. I can't stand the house in disarray. It makes me crazy that things aren't all nice and neat yet. I know, I know, patience, young jedi.

Did I read that Eric moved with you?

No, Eric didn't move with us, but I did fly him down to help us unpack. It was cheaper than hiring movers to unload the truck, plus he was able to fix some things and help me out while he was here. AND, he left me his MiFi card so I could have Internet access until the guys come out to install it later this month! And we got to hang out which is always good. I took him to the airport today and the kids are saying that they already miss him. I think I may have to compile a fixit list and instead of hiring a handyman, have Eric come out for a visit now and then.

How did you move so far away from family and friends?

I'm not thinking about that part. It's too hard.

How are Clay and Brooklyn now?

They're fine! Well, they're fever-free. I'm not sure about fine though. Clay was just running around the house like a dinosaur, trying to bite people . . .

Have you made any friends yet?

Well, not yet, but I've pretty much been stuck in the house, unpacking and cleaning. I was going to be friends with the fridge delivery guys, but then they put a hole in my wall so I changed my mind. (They're fixing the wall this week.)

And that's it for this week's edition of SSO. Tune in tomorrow when Dawn answers the question of just who on earth would buy this decoration.

17 comments:

I was hoping to see a Sunday Sound Out today, I've been thinking about you! Glad to hear you made it safe and sound (and unscathed!). I'm sure it'll feel like home in no time, not just for you but the kids, and you'll have oodles of friends! And if you end up missing the winters of the north don't worry... I'll mail you some snow!

You never cease to amaze me! It's so great that you drove from Illinois to Florida with six kids.all.by.yourself! WAY TO GO! Best of luck in your new home, no doubt things are turning the corner for you!

Good luck with this new adventure in your life. I am sure when the kids go back to school, if not sooner it will feel like home. Then all of you will make new friends too, which is huge. Congratulations on the new start!! :)Kim F.

Was so glad to "hear" from you! Glad you made it safely - way to go, you are superwoman! :) Glad things are going well so far and glad you have (I think?) a couple months to get settled before school starts. Your strength is such an inspiration. Hope you have a great 4th! :)

I am truly envious of your move to Orlando. As someone from the UK who visits Florida as often as funds permit, I think its a great place.Do please warn your younger ones re the poisonous snakes though!!I think to do the drive in two days was amazing - were you totally 'spaced out' when you arrived?I am sure this is going to be a nice new start for you, and think of all the money you will save on not having to take the kids away on holiday now! No more camping, no more mosquitoes, just point them in the direction of Disney...

Sounds like Clay is super fine.If you're a dinosaur of course you have to bite people,lol.I am totally overjoyed for you and the kids.Just from the posts here maybe you should invest in some of those plastic bug terrariums,with tight lids ;~) you know for that people-biting dinosaur boy.

Great news that you made it and no one suffered too much. ;-) So happy for your new start!!

We moved from Massachusetts to Florida six years ago and the vacation feeling took about a year to wear off. Really. It was weird. But even now, I'm kind of amazed that I live in vacationland. The kids' school trips are to places like Adventure Island, Busch Gardens, and Universal. It's all a little surreal in that sense. And as you're noticing, summers are brutal and last clear into what normal states refer to as fall. But you will LOVE winter and spring here.

Lots of LOVE & HAPPINESS to you and the kids as you begin this awesome new journey in life!! We are all so excited to see how things unfold for you there in Orlando! If your kids are anything like you (and I'm assuming/hoping they are!!) - they'll be making friends in no time - you just seem like someone we'd all love to have as a friend and neighbor!! YOU GO GIRL!! We are all cheering you on from all corners of the world!! GO DAWN!